Diabetes and Nerve Damage: What You Should Know About Diabetic Neuropathy
The Nerve, Muscle & Joint Health Newsletter
Understanding Your Condition
If you have diabetes, you may already know that it can affect your heart, kidneys, and eyes. But diabetes is also one of the most common causes of nerve damage, a condition called diabetic neuropathy. It affects up to half of all people with diabetes at some point in their lives, and it often develops quietly, long before symptoms become noticeable.
Diabetic neuropathy happens when high blood sugar gradually damages the nerves throughout the body. It most commonly starts in the feet and legs, and can later affect the hands and arms. You might notice tingling, burning, or numbness in your feet, a feeling like you are wearing invisible socks, sharp or shooting pains, or weakness and balance problems. Some people feel nothing at all in the early stages, which is part of what makes it so important to test for.
When nerve damage goes undetected, it can lead to serious complications. Without normal sensation in the feet, small injuries or sores can go unnoticed and become infected. This is one of the leading causes of foot ulcers and, in severe cases, amputation. Early detection is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself.
At Hands-On EMG, we use advanced diagnostic tools such as Nerve Testing (EMG/NCS) to measure how well your nerves are conducting signals, detecting damage that may not yet be causing noticeable symptoms. This gives your doctor a clear picture of your nerve health so that the right steps can be taken before the problem progresses.
If you have diabetes and experience tingling, numbness, or burning in your feet or hands, don’t dismiss it. Early nerve testing can detect damage before it becomes serious.
Wellness Corner
Simple Habits to Support Nerve Health and Foot Care
While nerve testing and medical care are essential, there are also everyday habits that can help protect your nerves and reduce the risk of complications from diabetic neuropathy.
1. Check Your Feet Daily
Look at the tops, bottoms, and between your toes every day for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling. Because neuropathy can reduce sensation, you may not feel an injury that is already there. Use a mirror if needed, or ask someone to help. Catching small problems early prevents big ones.
2. Keep Blood Sugar in Your Target Range
Managing blood glucose is the most effective way to slow the progression of nerve damage. Work with your doctor to understand your target range and what steps — diet, activity, and medication — help you stay there consistently.
3. Stay Active with Low-Impact Movement
Gentle exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling improves circulation to the nerves and muscles in the feet and legs. Aim for 20–30 minutes most days, as tolerated. Avoid high-impact activities if you have significant foot numbness — speak with your provider about what is safe for you.
4. Balance and Stability Exercises
Neuropathy can affect balance and increase fall risk. Simple exercises like standing on one foot near a wall for support, or heel-to-toe walking in a straight line, help train your balance system. Practice 5–10 minutes daily to help reduce the risk of falls.
5. Wear Proper Footwear
Always wear well-fitting, protective shoes, even indoors. Shoes that are too tight, too loose, or have rough seams can cause skin breakdown without you realizing it. Your doctor may recommend diabetic-friendly footwear designed to reduce pressure points.
Helpful Daily Tips
- Never walk barefoot — even in your own home
- Moisturize your feet daily, but avoid putting lotion between the toes
- Quit smoking if you smoke — it restricts blood flow and worsens nerve damage
- Tell your doctor about any new or changing symptoms, even if they seem minor
If you are experiencing any symptoms of neuropathy, or if you have had diabetes for several years without a nerve evaluation, it may be time for a more complete assessment. Early testing can identify the problem before it progresses and help guide the most appropriate care for you.
Spotlight on Excellence
Did You Know?
Diabetic neuropathy can be present even when you feel no symptoms. Nerve damage often begins in the small nerve fibers responsible for sensation in the feet, and standard neurological exams can miss early-stage changes. Nerve Conduction Studies detect measurable abnormalities in electrical signaling before symptoms become disabling, which is why testing is recommended even when a diabetic patient feels fine.
Know Someone Who Needs Help?
If you or someone you know is experiencing numbness, tingling, pain, weakness, or other nerve, muscle, or joint-related symptoms, Hands-On EMG Testing may be able to help provide answers.
With several locations across Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Long Island, we make it easier for patients to access advanced diagnostic testing close to home. Our team provides EMG/NCS and musculoskeletal ultrasound testing to help identify the cause of symptoms and support the right next steps in care.
Ask your physician or provider to refer you, or use our online referral form here.
Feel free to share this newsletter with friends and family members who may benefit from expert diagnostic testing and clearer answers about their symptoms.
